Separating apparatus



` Aug. 4,1931.

T. RAY ET AL! SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed March 1, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l am nw Aug. 4, 1931. 'r. RAY ETAL SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed March l1, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug.` 4, 1931. T. RAY ETAL SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed March 1. 1928 s sheets-sheet 3' Patented Aug. 4, 1931 PATENT FFICE THOMAS RAY AND JOSHUA R. RAY, OF MANISTEE, MICHIGAN SEPARATING Application filed March 1,

A rator wherein a large part of the sediment extracted from the filtrate is removed continuously while the separator is in operation. A further object of applicants invention is the production of a separator that may be readily cleaned. A further object of applicants invention is the production of a separator that may be operated over a relatively long period of time without the necessity of shutting down for the purpose of removing the sediment. A further object of applicants invention is the production of a separator durv'able in construction, economical to operate,

of low cost, relatively small number of parts and positive in operation.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to th'ose skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end our invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combinati'on of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation vof the separator;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the feeding end thereof;

Fig. 3 is a secti'onal elevation on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 4`4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3

gig. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 3; an

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 shows a centrifugal separator mounted upon a shaft 2 supported in bearings 3 at each end of the separator. To one end of the shaft is attached a pulley 4, by means of which the separator 1 is revolved.

Referring n'ow to Fig. 3, the body of the separator is composed of two central sections APPARATUS 1928. Serial No. 258,419.

5 and 6, a feeding end section 7 and a discharge end section 8. Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 are secured together and supported on shaft 2 by means of spiders 9. The spiders 9 have disc portions 10 adjacent the shaft 2. The discs 10 at their outer ends terminate in spaced legs 11 (see Fig. 7). The outer ends of the legs 11 are joined by an integral ring 12. Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 are Provided with iianges 13 and secured by suitable means to the spiders 9 as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The flanges 13 on'sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 are attached to the spiders 9 ust within the annular ring 12. A heavy metal band 14 is shrunk about each of the annular rings 12, thus holding the structure rigidly together.

Extending lengthwise of the separator between and attached tothe spiders 9 are vanes 15. The end section 7 is provided with manholes 16 and 17 which are closed by manhole covers 18 and 19, respectively. End section 8 is provided with manholes 2O and 21 which are closed by manhole covers 22 and 23, respectively. Each of the manholes 16, 17, 2() and 21 is bisected by the plane passing through the vanes 15. The purpose of this particular arrangement is to allow entry to either side of the separator through any one of the manholes.

End Section 7 is formed about its central portion with an inwardly converging frustoconical portion 24. The inner circumferential edge 25 of the frusto-conical portion 24 is spaced from the shaft 2 and from the collar 26 of the adjacent spider 9 for the purpose of providing a space through which the filtrate may enter the separator proper.

Mounted upon shaft 2 is a combined feeding, sediment extracting member 27. The member 27 is not iXed to shaft 2 but remains stationary when the shaft 2 is in motion. The member 27 has a portion 28 of uniform diameter in which is an annular passage 29 open at its inner end 30. Adjoining the portion of uniform diameter 28 is a frusto-conical portion 31 which extends outwardly toward the larger end of frusto-conical portion 24 of end section 7 and forming therewith sediment extracting chamber 32. Attached to shaft 2 within chamber 32 is an im- CTi Vlector 45. as clearly shown in Figs.v 3

peller 33 with a plurality of vanes 34, the purpose of which is to impart a revolving motionY 37 which extends outward into the chamber 32 and faces toward the impeller 33. Passage 35 is preferably curved adjacent its ends 36 as shown at 38. The passagethen extends toward the outside through the frusto-conical portion 31 and preferably straight through the portion of uniform diameter 28.

Passages 35 and 29, however, are kept dis-y tinct from one another. The flow and the fluidity thereof may be controlled by a valve 39 or other suitable means. Passage 35 has an outlet 39. Passage 29 has an inlet 40 through which the liquid to be separated enters the filter.

In order to prevent leakage from the chamber 32, a cover 41 is provided on theoutside of the frustoconical portion 31. Cover 41 is secured to end section 7 and is located vcentrally thereof by means of an annularring 42 on end section 7. The liquid thus cannot escape around the edges of the frusto-conical portion 31.

End section 8 at the discharge'end of the separator has an opening 43 'centrally thereof which has an outwardly extending frustoconical portion 44 attached thereto. About the frusto-conical portion 44 is a filtrate collector 45. Filtrate collector 45 is more or less circular in form with an outlet 46 at the bottom thereof which discharges into a receiving pipe 47.

Filtrate collector 45 is so formed that a minimum amount of leakage occurs between it 'and the discharge end of the separator proper. Filtrate collector 45 has an inner wall 48 and an outer wall 49'.- The inner wall 48 over the upper half of the iiltrate coland 5, is formed more or less U-shaped adjacent the outer edgey of the frust-o-conical portion 44 as clearly shown at 50. The purpose of this more or lless U-shaped section is to ycatch liquid thrown Vupward at the outer edge of portion 44 by centrifugal force, returning same to the lower half of filtrate collector 45.

Outer wall 49 also has an inwardly turned substantially U-shaped section 51, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, saine extendingy within the outer edge of frusto-conical portion 44 and is for the purpose of catching liquid drop'- ping from the upper half of the frusto-conical portion 44 and other liquid falling downward along)` the inner upper half of wall 45.

Y The substantially U-shaped portion 51 extends over the upper half of filtrate collector v45, as shown in Fig. 6.- An effective seal is thus formed between filtrate collector 45 and frusto-conical portion 44.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The amount of liquid carried out with the sediment is controlled by valve 39. In other words,'the valve 39 controls the fluidity of the sediment thus extracted. A very large percentage of the sedinientrand particularly the heavier particles are extracted in this manner, the percentage thereof depending upontheratio of larger to finely divided particles of foreign matter contained in the liquid. As chamber 32 fills, the liquid flows into the separator body through thespa-ce between the inner circumferential edge of the frusto-conical portion 24 and collar 26 of the adjacent spider 9. Inside the separator body the liquid isforced to the periphery of the separator due to the fact that the adjacent spider 9 is 4closed for a portion thereof about the longitudinal axis of the separator. It is to be noted that the liquid entering the separator body from the chamber 32 has foreign matter therein, a very largel percentage of which is finely divided and too fine tobe vsepa-rated in the chamber 32. Upon being taken to the periphery of the separated body, the centrifugal force is greatly increased and the Atendency of the finely divided particles to separate from the liquid is multiplied many times. t will be noted that all of the spiders are shown closed about the longituF dinal axis of the filter, causing all of the liquid to flow therethrough 'along the periphery. However, in liquid wherein the finely divided particles are not so difficult to separate, the last spider may have aperturesV 60, shown dotted, placed adjacent the longitudinal axis of the separator. This will speed up action somewhat, or in other words, inv crease the capacity of the separator;V In liquid containing a very high percentage of coarse particles, apertures 61, shown dotted, may also be placed in the second spider and adjacent the longitudinal axis of the' separator. It will be noted, however, that the first spider 9 forcesall liquid to the periphery of the separator. rlhe plates 15 are added in order to assist in revolving'liquid at the saine speedas the separatorbody. The finely divided particles of foreign matter separated'within the separator body, collect onthe circumferential wall of the separator.

The filtrate isvdrawnroff through opening 43, through vfrusto-conical portion 44 and liltrate collector 45. Inasmuch as a large portion of the sediment and other foreign matter is drawn olf through passag-e 35, the amount of sediment deposited on the circumferential walls of the separator body is greatly reduced and the device may operate over a very7 much longer period of time. The percentage of sediment deposited in the separator body, however, is dependent upon the percentage of finely divided particles, as is apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Cleaning of the separator body is accomplished through manholes 16, 17, 20 and 21. The sediment may be shoveled out by workmen entering the separator through the manhole, or same may be extrated by mechanical means from the outside of the separator.

Having thus described our invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of our invention; hence we do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves tothe exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a separator of the kind described, a separator body, and variable means adjacent the inlet to said body for continuously eX- tracting foreign matter from the liquid to be filtered before it enters said separator body.

2. In a device of the kind described, a separator body, a chamber adjacent the inlet to said body and separated from said body, means within said chamber including a stationary element for continuously separating foreign matter from the liquid, and means for removing said foreign matter from said chamber while the device is in operation.

3. In a device of the kind described, a separator body, ay chamber adjacent the inlet to said filter body and separated from said body, means within said chamber for imparting a whirling movement to the liquid, and means for removing foreign matter from said 'chamber at will.

4. In a. device of the kind described, a separator body, a chamber adjacent the inlet to said filter body and separated from said body, means for continuously feeding liquid to said chamber, and stationary means within said chamber distinct from said body, providing an element of means for continuously removing foreign matter from said liquid.

5. In a device of the kind described, a separator body, a protruding outlet for said body, a filtrate collector adjacent said outlet, said collector including means located upon opposite sides of the protruding outlet and providing means for retaining liquid thrown outward by centrifugal force.

6. In a device of the kind described, a separator body, an outlet for said body, a filtrate collector adjacent said outlet, said filtrate collector having means for collecting filtrate thrown from said outlet, an element of said collector being located within the outlet.

' 7. In a device of the kind described, a shaft, a plurality of spiders mounted upon said shaft, said spiders at the rims thereof formed T-shape, a sectional separator body, said sections of said separator body having ianges, said flanges attached to said spiders at the leg and bar of the T.

8. In a device of the kind described, a shaft, a plurality of spiders attached to said shaft, said spiders having enlarged circular rims, a sectional separator body, said sections of said separator body attached to said spiders within and engaging said enlarged circular rims.

9. In a device of the kind described, a shaft, a plurality of spiders attached to said shaft, said spiders having rims enlarged transl-v. versely thereof, a separator body comprising sections, said sections attached to said spiders and restrained centrally by said enlarged rims, and means for reenforcing said rims.

10. In a. device of the kind described, a separator body, said body comprising a cylindrical casing of relatively large diameter, a primary separator chamber at the inlet to said body, means within said chamber to impart a whirling motion to the liquid, and means adjacent said chamber for continuously removing foreign matter separated from said liquid, an outlet for said separator body, and means about said outlet for collecting the filtrate.

11. In a separator and in combination, means for initially removing the larger particles of foreign matter from the incoming liquid and means for removing finely divided particles of foreign matter from said liquid, said last-mentioned means comprising a separator body and means opposite the mouth of said body for forcing the incoming liquid toward the periphery thereof.

12. In a centrifugal separator of the kind described, a hollow body, an inlet and outlet therefor positioned at opposite ends of said body and adjacent the longitudinal aXis thereof, and means within said body for causing liquid flowing through said body to pass along the periphery thereof, said means comprising obstacles in the path of said liquid and positioned about the longitudinal axis of said lter.

18. In a device of the kind described, means for initially and continuously removing relatively large particles of foreign matter from liquid, said means comprising a chamber, an impeller in said chamber and an outlet at the periphery of said chamber, and means for removing finely divided particles from said liquid, said means comprising a hollow body connected to the outlet of said chamber, and

means Within `said body forcausing liquid to flpw therethrough along the periphery thereo Y Y' 14. In a centrifugal separator of the kind described, a hollow body, an vinlet and an outlet therefor positioned at oppositefends of said body and adjacent the longitudinal axis thereof, and means Within said body for causing liquid flowingthrough said body to pass along the periphery thereof, said means comprising obstacles in the path of said liquid and positioned about the longitudinal axis of said separator7 at least one of said obsta-cles having an aperture for the passage of iuid adjacent said axis. l f

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto signed our names. Y Y THOMAS RAY.

JOSHUA R. RAY. 

